CHAPTER 1

He has come!

1900 BC, Mansarovar Lake(At the foot of Mount Kailash, Tibet)
Shiva gazed at the orange sky. The clouds hovering above Mansarovar had just parted to
reveal the setting sun. The brilliant giver of life was calling it a day once again. Shiva had seen a
few sunrises in his twenty-one years. But the sunset! He tried never to miss the sunset! On any
other day, Shiva would have taken in the vista — the sun and the immense lake against the
magnificent backdrop of the Himalayas stretching as far back as the eye could see. But not
today.
He squatted and perched his lithe, muscular body on the narrow ledge extending over the
lake. The numerous batde-scars on his skin gleamed in the shimmering reflected light of the
waters. Shiva remembered well his carefree childhood days. He had perfected the art of
throwing pebbles that bounced off the surface of the lake. He still held the record in his tribe for
the highest number of bounces: seventeen.
On a normal day, Shiva would have smiled at the memory from a cheerful past that had
been overwhelmed by the angst of the present. But today, he turned back towards his village
without any hint of joy.
Bhadra was alert, guarding the main entrance. Shiva gestured with his eyes. Bhadra turned
back to find his two back-up soldiers dozing against the fence. He cursed and kicked them
hard.
Shiva turned back towards the lake.
God bless Bhadra! At least he takes some responsibility.
Shiva brought the chillum made of yak-bone to his hps and took in a deep drag. Any other
day, the marijuana would have spread its munificence, dulling his troubled mind and letting him
find some moments of solace. But not today.
He looked left, at the edge of the lake where the soldiers of the strange foreign visitor were
kept under guard. With the lake behind them and twenty of Shiva’s own soldiers guarding them,
it was impossible for them to mount any surprise attack.
They let themselves be disarmed so easily. They aren’t like the bloodthirsty idiots in our land
who are looking for any excuse to fight.
The foreigner ’s words came flooding back to Shiva. ‘Come to our land. It lies beyond the
great mountains. Others call it Meluha. I call it Heaven. It is the richest and most powerful
empire in India. Indeed the richest and most powerful in the whole world. Our government has
an offer for immigrants. You will be given fertile land and resources for farming. Today, your
tribe, the Gunas, fight for survival in this rough, arid land. Meluha offers you a lifestyle beyond
your wildest dreams. We ask for nothing in return. Just live in peace, pay your taxes and follow
the laws of the land.’